Voice of America, 98-09-25

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] U-N / CYPRUS (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[02] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

[03] U-N / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[04] KOSOVO VIOLENCE-UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

[05] BOSNIA'S ELECTIONS BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[06] U-S/BOSNIAN ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[07] GERMAN ELECTION CAMPAIGN (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BERLIN)

[08] GERMANY ELECTION O'NIGHTER (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BERLIN)

[09] U-S/E-U/LEON BRITTAN(L-O) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

[10] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[11] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GRACE CUTLER (WASHINGTON)

[12] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

[13] HUNGARY ECONOMIC FORUM (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

[01] U-N / CYPRUS (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFCOS CLERIDES TODAY (FRIDAY) ACCUSED TURKEY OF TRYING TO DESTROY HIS GOVERNMENT'S SOVEREIGNTY, AND URGED TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH TO RESUME PEACE TALKS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS MR. CLERIDES MADE THE REMARKS TODAY IN A SPEECH TO THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK.

TEXT: MR. CLERIDES DENOUNCED TURKEY AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH FOR, IN HIS WORDS, VIOLATING U-N RESOLUTIONS BY PROPOSING A CONFEDERATION SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS CONFLICT. HE SAID THE PROPOSAL IS AIMED AT DERAILING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND CREATING A TURKISH COLONY ON THE ISLAND.

IN THE FACE OF CONTINUOUS THREATS AGAINST CYPRUS BY THE VASTLY SUPERIOR MILITARY MIGHT OF TURKEY, WHOSE ULTIMATE AIM IS TO KEEP THE ISLAND A PERPETUAL HOSTAGE, TO DESTROY ITS SOVEREIGNTY AND TO REDUCE IT TO A TURKISH PROTECTORATE, THE STRONG PRINCIPLED SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS MEMBERS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE.

MR. CLERIDES' GREEK-CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT IS RECOGNIZED BY MOST NATIONS. THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT COMMUNITY HEADED BY MR. DENKTASH IS RECOGNIZED ONLY BY TURKEY. CYPRUS HAS BEEN VIRTUALLY PARTITIONED SINCE TURKISH TROOPS LANDED IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND IN 1974 IN RESPONSE TO A COUP IN NICOSIA BACKED BY GREECE.

IN HIS SPEECH TO THE UNITED NATIONS, MR. CLERIDES STRONGLY REJECTED THE CONFEDERATION PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD BY MR. DENKTASH. MR. CLERIDES SAID HE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY PROPOSAL THAT RESULTS IN THE CREATION OF TWO SEPARATE STATES ON THE ISLAND.

HE ALSO DEFENDED HIS GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO DEPLOY RUSSIAN-MADE S-300 AIR DEFENSE MISSILES LATER THIS YEAR. TURKEY HAS THREATENED MEASURES TO PREVENT THEIR DEPLOYMENT. MR. CLERIDES WOULD NOT SAY EXACTLY WHEN THE MISSILES WILL BE DEPLOYED BUT DEFENDED THE PLAN AS BEING WITHIN HIS GOVERNMENT'S SOVEREIGN RIGHTS. HE BLAMED CONTINUING TENSIONS ON THE ISLAND ON THE PRESENCE OF TURKISH TROOPS IN THE NORTH.

MR. CLERIDES AND MR. DENKTASH ARE UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES TO REACH A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT TO THE CYPRUS CONFLICT. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
25-Sep-98 3:14 PM EDT (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: A WRITER WHO IS A TOP OFFICIAL IN THE MODERATE ETHNIC ALBANIAN PARTY IN KOSOVO WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED LATE THURSDAY NIGHT IN AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN PRISTINA. MEANWHILE, THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IS EXPECTED IN PRISTINA LATER TODAY, FRIDAY (EDS: ABOUT 11:00 AM EDT). MRS. SADAKO OGATA WILL EXAMINE THE PLIGHT OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES AND CHARGES THAT SERB FORCES ARE INDISCRIMINATELY DIVIDING MEN FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND PLACING THEM UNDER ARREST.

TEXT: ETHNIC ALBANIAN SOURCES SAY A LONE GUNMAN ATTEMPTED TO KILL LEADING ALBANIAN WRITER AND POLITICIAN SABRI HAMITI, AN ALLY OF MODERATE KOSOVO LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA. MR. HAMITI WAS REPORTEDLY HIT LATE ON THURSDAY BY THREE BULLETS -- TWO THAT WERE CLOSE TO HIS HEART.

THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT FOLLOWS TWO EARLIER KILLINGS THIS MONTH IN THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL OF TIRANA.

SOURCES IN THE LEADING ETHNIC ALBANIAN PARTY -- THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF KOSOVO, OR L-D-K -- SUSPECT THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF MR. HAMITI TO BE THE WORK OF AGENTS LOYAL TO THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT.

BUT SUSPECTS COULD ALSO INCLUDE GUERRILLA FIGHTERS IN THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, WHO HAVE IN THE PAST THREATENED TO KILL MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE.

AS FIGHTING CONTINUES TO RAGE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, THE U-N'S HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IS ON HER WAY TO PRISTINA AFTER MEETING THURSDAY IN BELGRADE WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

A SPOKESMAN FOR SADAKO OGATA SAID THAT THE HIGH COMMISSIONER VIEWED THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN KOSOVO AS INCREASINGLY GRAVE. BUT HE SAID THAT THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT DID NOT AGREE.

SERBIAN AUTHORITIES INSIST THAT UP TO 300-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE FREE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. BUT REFUGEES SAY THAT SERB FORCES REGULARLY ATTACK THEM AND DIVIDE UP FAMILIES.

WESTERN AID WORKERS SAY THOUSANDS OF HOMES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IN KOSOVO. THEY SAY THE REFUGEES HAVE LEGITIMATE FEARS THAT THEY WILL BE PERSECUTED BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES. (SIGNED)
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25-Sep-98 8:05 AM EDT (1205 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-N / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS IT IS EXPANDING ITS PRESENCE IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AGENCY IS OPENING THREE NEW FIELD OFFICES TO HELP CARRY OUT AND IMPROVE RELIEF ACTIVITIES.

TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY CURRENTLY HAS 25 AID WORKERS IN KOSOVO WHICH WILL SHORTLY BE INCREASED TO 37. THE INCREASED PRESENCE WILL GIVE THE AGENCY GREATER ACCESS TO THOSE FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES AND TAKE REFUGE IN THE HILLS AND IN FORESTS. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESWOMAN, JUDITH KUMIN SAYS OTHER WORK IS PLANNED AS WELL.

TO BE ABLE TO BETTER MONITOR THE SITUATION OF THE DISPLACED AND BETTER TO REACH THEM. AND, IF THERE WOULD BE A CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES, IT WOULD PERMIT US BETTER TO SUPPORT THE EVENTUAL RETURN OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD INDEED LIKE TO GO BACK TO THEIR HOMES BEFORE WINTER REALLY HITS. IF THAT WOULD EVER BECOME POSSIBLE.

THE U-N ESTIMATES AROUND 300-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE FIGHTING IN KOSOVO. AMONG THEM ARE AN ESTIMATED 50-THOUSAND NOW LIVING OUT IN THE OPEN WITHOUT ANY PROPER SHELTER. WHOLE VILLAGES HAVE REPORTEDLY BEEN DESERTED, WITH HOUSES BURNED DOWN BY SERBIAN SOLDIERS IN THE COURSE OF THEIR MILITARY ACTIONS. //OPT// MS. KUMIN SAYS THE U-N REGULARLY SENDS CONVOYS OF FOOD AND OTHER RELIEF SUPPLIES.

IT IS CLEAR THAT HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES AND THE EXPANSION OF HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES, WHILE THEY CAN ALLEVIATE SUFFERING AND SAVE LIVES, CANNOT REPLACE A POLITICAL SOLUTION. AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT.

[04] KOSOVO VIOLENCE-UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS IGNORED NATO THREATS OF AIR STRIKES AS SERB SECURITY FORCES STEPPED UP THEIR ATTACKS ON VILLAGES IN CENTRAL KOSOVO FRIDAY. THE ACTION COMES AS THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES ARRIVED IN PRISTINA TO EXAMINE THE PLIGHT OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAID THAT SEVERAL VILLAGES NEAR THE TOWN OF VUCITRN IN CENTRAL KOSOVO HAVE COME UNDER HEAVY ATTACK BY SERBIAN ARTILLERY AND TANK FIRE.

UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES SPOKESMAN FERNANDO DEL MUNDO SAID THAT 15-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS WERE TRAPPED IN THE FIGHTING NEAR THE TOWN OF RESNIK, LOCATED ABOUT 20 KILOMETERS NORTH OF PRISTINA.

THE INTENSIFIED FIGHTING ACROSS KOSOVO FOLLOWS WESTERN WARNINGS TO SERBIAN FORCES TO HALT THEIR ADVANCES.

NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS HAVE WARNED THAT THEY WILL NOT TOLERATE WHAT THEY CALL THE CONTINUED SERBIAN OFFENSIVE AGAINST SEPARATISTS AND CIVILIANS.

ON THURSDAY, NATO MINISTERS BACKED AN EARLIER U-N RESOLUTION WHICH CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN KOSOVO.

WESTERN MILITARY CHIEFS ARE PUTTING TOGETHER PLANS FOR AN AIR STRIKE FORCE DESIGNED TO HALT SERB AGGRESSION BY PINPOINTING YUGOSLAV ARMY AND SERBIAN POLICE BASES AND WEAPONS DEPOTS.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SADAKO OGATA IS IN KOSOVO TO VISIT REFUGEES AND TALK WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF AID ORGANIZATIONS. (SIGNED)
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25-Sep-98 1:56 PM EDT (1756 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA'S ELECTIONS BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EARLY RETURNS IN THIS MONTH'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SEEMED TO INDICATE A SURPRISING VICTORY FOR HARDLINE NATIONALISTS. FINAL TABULATION HAS BEEN SLOWED BY POWER OUTAGES AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS BUT AS THE COUNTING CONTINUES IT APPEARS THAT MODERATE CANDIDATES DID BETTER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT. THE QUESTION REMAINS: WHY DIDN'T THEY DO EVEN BETTER AND WHY DOES NATIONALISM CONTINUE TO HAVE SUCH AN ENDURING APPEAL. PAMELA TAYLOR HAS A REPORT.

TEXT: DIPLOMATS AND OTHERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WATCHED IN ALARM AS THEY REALIZED HARDLINE NATIONALIST CANDIDATE NIKOLA POPLASHEN HAD WON THE ELECTION FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF BOSNIA'S SERB REPUBLIC, ONE OF THE TWO ENTITIES IN THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION. HIGH HOPES HAD BEEN PINNED ON THE RE-ELECTION OF BILJANA PLAVSIC, A RELATIVE MODERATE WHO SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BROKE WITH FOLLOWERS OF INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADOVAN KARADZIC. WESTERN OFFICIALS WERE EVEN THREATENING TO CUT BACK ON SOME OF THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR THE REGION FOLLOWING THE RESURGENCE OF THE HARDLINERS.

BUT WHAT IS THE APPEAL OF NATIONALISM IN THE BALKANS? WE POSED THIS QUESTION TO SERBIAN JOURNALIST SLOBODAN PAVLOVIC WHO IS THE WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT FOR THE INDEPENDENT BELGRADE NEWSPAPER 'NASA BORBA'. MR. PAVLOVIC BEGAN BY EXPLAINING THE POPULARITY OF THE SERB REPUBLIC'S PRESIDENT-ELECT, NIKOLA POPLASHEN:

TEXT: SLOBODAN PAVLOVIC IS THE WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT FOR THE INDEPENDENT SERBIAN NEWSPAPER 'NASA BORBA'. (SIGNED) NEB/PAM/TW/
25-Sep-98 10:28 AM EDT (1428 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U-S/BOSNIAN ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE FOUND MUCH TO BE HAPPY ABOUT IN THE RESULTS OF THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS -- DESPITE DISAPPOINTMENT THAT WESTERN-SUPPORTED INCUMBENT BILJANA PLAVSIC WAS DEFEATED FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SERB PART OF THE COUNTRY. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS THE STORY FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE SENIOR AMERICAN ENVOY TO THE BALKANS, ROBERT GELBARD, SAID CONTRARY TO MOST REPORTS OF THE ELECTION RESULTS, THE VOTE WAS ENCOURAGING FOR THE CAUSE OF DEMOCRATIC PLURALISM IN BOSNIA.

IT IS SIMPLY WRONG--FACTUALLY WRONG-- TO SAY THAT THERE IS A TREND FOR INCREASED MARGINS FOR THE NATIONALISTS PARTIES. THE FACTS DEMONSTRATE JUST THE OPPOSITE. THERE IS MUCH GREATER DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC PLURALISM AND IN ALL THREE ETHNIC GROUPS.

HE PARTICULARLY NOTED THE VICTORY OF A MODERATE--ZIVKO RADISIC--TO BE THE SERB PRESIDENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA'S THREE-MEMBER PRESIDENCY. MR. RADISIC DEFEATED HARD-LINE SERB MOMCILO KRAJISNIK, WHOM MR. GELBARD SAID HAD ACTIVELY WORKED TO BLOCK EFFORTS AT BUILDING MULTI-ETHNIC BOSNIAN INSTITUTIONS -- SUCH A SINGLE CURRENCY.

OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE WAS RADISIC BEATING KRAJISNIK. I CANNOT (OVER) EMPHASIZE TO YOU HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS TO US AND TO THE FUTURE OF THE ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT THE JOINT INSTITUTIONS.

IN THE ELECTIONS IN THE SERB-CONTROLLED PART OF BOSNIA -- REPUBLIKA SRPSKA -- AN ULTRA NATIONALIST, NIKOLA POPLASEN, DEFEATED BILJANA PLAVSIC, THE INCUMBENT WHO FAVORS THE DAYTON ACCORDS THAT ENDED THE BOSNIAN WAR.

BUT MR. GELBARD SAID THE REAL POWER IN THE SERB REPUBLIC IS IN THE PARLIAMENT AND THERE, MS. PLAVSIC'S COALITION INCREASED ITS MARGIN. MR. GELBARD SAID THEY WILL BE ABLE TO BLOCK ANY ATTEMPT BY MR. POPLASEN TO FORM AN ANTI-DAYTON OR SECCESSIONIST GOVERNMENT IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA.(SIGNED)
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25-Sep-98 5:32 PM EDT (2132 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] GERMAN ELECTION CAMPAIGN (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BERLIN)

INTRO: THE GERMAN ELECTION CAMPAIGN CAME TO A CLOSE FRIDAY NIGHT AS BOTH MAJOR CANDIDATES ADDRESSED RALLIES IN THEIR STRONGHOLDS. CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL SPOKE IN MAINZ ON THE RHINE RIVER, WHILE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER GERHARD SCHROEDER ADDRESSED A RALLY IN EAST BERLIN. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BERLIN ON GERMANY'S ELECTION, WHICH TAKES PLACE SUNDAY.

TEXT: A YOUNG MAN IN HANOVER, GERMANY REFUSES TO TELL A REPORTER HOW HE VOTED. LIKE MANY GERMANS, HE HAS CAST HIS BALLOT ALREADY BECAUSE HE PLANS TO BE OUT OF TOWN ON SUNDAY, ELECTION DAY. HE KNOWS THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ELECTION IN GERMANY'S POST-WAR HISTORY. IT'S GOING TO BE CLOSE, HE SAYS, VERY TIGHT. THAT ANALYSIS IS WHAT ALL THE POLLSTERS IN GERMANY SAY. SOME HAVE GERHARD SCHROEDER AHEAD BY TWO POINTS, WHILE OTHERS HAVE HIM UP BY FIVE POINTS.

TWO FACTORS WEIGH AGAINST THESE POLLS: ONE IS THAT THEY ARE WELL WITHIN THE MARGIN OF ERROR AND THE OTHER IS THAT THE POLLS USUALLY OVER-PREDICT THE NUMBER OF VOTES THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS WILL WIN. CHANCELLOR KOHL HAS BEEN TELLING HIS AUDIENCES NOT TO BELIEVE ANY BUT THE LAST POLL.

THE MEN AND WOMEN OF GERMANY, HE SAYS, WILL GO TO VOTE AND ON SUNDAY AT EIGHTEEN HOURS (IN THE EVENING) AND ONLY THEN WILL THE VOTE DECIDE, AND ONLY THEN WHEN THE VOTES ARE COUNTED DOES THAT POLL DECIDE.

THE CHANCELLOR HAS BEEN COY ABOUT HIS PLANS (ABOUT WHAT HE WILL DO) IF THE POLLS ARE RIGHT AND BOTH OF THE LARGE PARTIES ARE SHORT OF PARTNERS FOR A COALITION GOVERNMENT. GERMANS ARE TELLING POLLSTERS THEY PREFER A GRAND COALITION OF THE TWO LARGE PARTIES, THE CHRISTEN DEMOCRATS AND THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS. HOWEVER, CHANCELLOR KOHL SAYS HE WOULD RATHER GO INTO RETIREMENT THEN SERVE WITH THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS IN A GRAND COALITION AFTER SIXTEEN YEARS ON THE TOP.

GERHARD SCHROEDER HAS BEEN OPEN TO THE IDEA OF THE TWO MAIN PARTIES COMBINING FORCES AFTER THE ELECTION, BUT HE SAYS HE WOULD RATHER GO BACK TO LEADING HIS STATE OF LOWER SAXONY THAN TAKE PART HIMSELF.

MR. SCHROEDER HAS LAUNCH THE MOST SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO HELMUT KOHL OF ANY SOCIAL DEMOCRAT. HE HAS BEEN DRAWING HUGE CROWDS, CHALLENGING GERMANS BY PARAPHRASING THE THOUGHTS OF THE LATE AMERICAN PRESIDENT JOHN KENNEDY.

I BEG YOU NOT TO ASK, HE SAYS, WHAT THE STATE CAN DO FOR YOU BUT FINALLY TO ASK WHAT I CAN DO FOR THIS LAND.

MR. SCHROEDER HAS A LESS IDEOLOGICAL MESSAGE THEN PAST SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGERS TO CHANCELLOR KOHL. BOTH SIDES HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE VOTERS IN THE MIDDLE. IN THE END, IT WILL BE SEEN AS A REFERENDUM ON WHETHER CHANCELLOR KOHL HAS STAYED OFFICE TOO LONG OR WHETHER GERMANS PREFER THE MAN THEY KNOW. (SIGNED)
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25-Sep-98 3:22 PM EDT (1922 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] GERMANY ELECTION O'NIGHTER (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BERLIN)

INTRO: THE GERMAN ELECTION CAMPAIGN IS COME TO AN END AFTER SEVEN MONTHS. SIXTY MILLION GERMANS WILL CONSIDER THEIR VOTES BEFORE CASTING THEM ON SUNDAY. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BERLIN ON THE FINAL DAY OF CAMPAIGNING.

TEXT: IT IS NOW UP TO THE VOTERS AND MOST THEM HAVE NO BETTER IDEA THAN THE POLLSTERS ABOUT WHAT KIND OF GOVERNMENT WILL EMERGE FROM SUNDAY'S ELECTION.

NETHER SIDE IS CLOSE TO A MAJORITY. CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL CLOSED HIS CAMPAIGN IN THE RHINE RIVER CITY OF MAINZ. THEN APPEARED WITH HIS WIFE ON A PRIVATE TELEVISION STATION TO SAY HE PLANS TO SERVE ALL FOUR YEARS OF WHAT WOULD BE HIS FIFTH STRAIGHT TERM AS GERMANYS LEADER.

HIS SOCIAL DEMOCRAT CHALLENGER GERHARD SCHOEDER FINISHED HIS CAMPAIGN IN EAST BERLIN'S VELODROME BEFORE FIFTEEN THOUSAND CHEERING FANS. HE BROUGHT ADDED SUPPORT FROM AUSTRIA VISITING CHANCELLOR VIKTOR KLIMA. MR. SCHOEDER HAS A SLIM BUT PERSISTED LED OVER CHANCELLOR KHOL IN ALL OPINION POLLS. (SIGNED)
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25-Sep-98 7:06 PM EDT (2306 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S/E-U/LEON BRITTAN(L-O) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION TRADE COMMISSIONER LEON BRITTAN HAS BEEN IN WASHINGTON FOR SEVERAL DAYS TALKING TO U-S OFFICIALS ABOUT TRADE ISSUES. HE SPOKE TO REPORTERS AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB TODAY (FRIDAY), JUST HOURS BEFORE CONGRESS WAS EXPECTED TO DEFEAT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BID FOR EXPANDED TRADE NEGOTIATING, OR "FAST TRACK," AUTHORITY. V-O-A'S CHALLISS MCDONOUGH HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: LEON BRITTAN SAID THE EUROPEAN UNION -- IN HIS WORDS -- OBVIOUSLY WANTS CONGRESS TO GIVE PRESIDENT CLINTON FAST TRACK AUTHORITY, BUT HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN NOW.

THE E-U COMMISSIONER INDICATED THAT POLITICS -- RATHER THAN TRADE ISSUES -- WOULD HAVE MORE TO DO WITH DEFEATING FAST TRACK.

WE ARE AWARE THAT THIS PARTICULAR VOTE HAS COME ABOUT AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME FOR REASONS THAT ARE WIDER THAN A STRAIGHTFORWARD EXAMINATION OF THE FAST TRACK ISSUE. AND I THINK THAT THOSE WHO FOLLOW THESE MATTERS WILL UNDERSTAND THAT, AND WHATEVER HAPPENS, NOT REGARD IT AS A FINAL AND DEFINITIVE ANSWER ON THAT QUESTION.

THE MR. BRITTAN SAID GIVING THE PRESIDENT BROADER AUTHORITY ( UNDER FAST TRACK) WOULD ALLOW HIM TO NEGOTIATE MORE EFFECTIVELY WHEN TRYING TO OPEN UP FOREIGN MARKETS. THE E-U OFFICIAL SAID DEFEATING FAST TRACK WOULD HURT LONG-TERM U-S INTERESTS.

THEN THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE VERY SIMPLE, THAT THOSE WHO ARE NEGOTIATING WITH THE U-S WILL BE HESITANT, RELUCTANT AND AFRAID OF DOING A DEAL WHICH COULD OTHERWISE BE DONE. SO THE ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF FAST TRACK IS THAT IT GIVES THE PRESIDENT THE MUSCLE TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US WHO WANT TRADE TO BE OPENED UP, AND WITHOUT THAT HIS ARM IS BEHIND HIS BACK.

THE E-U COMMISSIONER ALSO ADDRESSED ASPECTS OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS. HE TOLD REPORTERS HE AND OTHER E-U LEADERS MET WITH THE JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN NEW YORK EARLIER THIS WEEK. MR. BRITTAN SAID THE EUROPEANS MADE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT JAPAN URGENTLY NEEDS MOVEMENT ON ITS PROGRAM OF FISCAL EXPANSION AND DEREGULATION. HE SAID THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO THAT POLICY, BUT FACES A PROBLEM GETTING IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE. (SIGNED)
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25-Sep-98 4:28 PM EDT (2028 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) AS TRADERS LOOKED FORWARD TO AN INTEREST RATE CUT. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND 28, UP 26 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 133 POINTS, OR ALMOST TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT ONE THOUSAND 44, UP TWO POINTS.

STOCK PRICES DROPPED SHARPLY IN THE FIRST FEW HOURS OF FRIDAY'S TRADING, REFLECTING CONTINUED CONCERN ABOUT FINANCIAL WEAKNESS IN SOME HEDGE FUNDS (EDS : THE FUND USES TO SPECULATE IN THE MARKET), THE MULTIBILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT POOLS. NEXT WEEK, A COMMITTEE OF THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL HOLD HEARINGS ON THOSE FUNDS. BUT ANALYSTS SAY THAT AS TRADING CONTINUED WORRIES ABOUT HEDGE FUNDS BEGAN TO WANE ON WALL STREET AND INVESTORS BECAME OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL CUT SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY.

AN INTEREST RATE CUT IS SEEN AS PROVIDING SOME STABILITY TO THE RECENTLY VOLATILE U-S STOCK MARKET. HOWEVER, BILL ALLEN OF THE JEFFRIES INVESTMENT COMPANY, SAYS EVEN WITH LOWER INTEREST RATES, STOCK PRICES COULD BE HURT BY LOWER CORPORATE EARNINGS.

THE CONCERN, AS I SEE IT ON THE HORIZON, ARE THE EARNINGS REPORTS THAT WILL BE RELEASED IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS IN OCTOBER. WE HAD THE PRE-ANNOUNCEMENTS RECENTLY AND, BY AND LARGE, THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS EXISTING HOME SALES IN THE UNITED STATES DROPPED TO THEIR LOWEST LEVEL OF THE YEAR IN AUGUST. ANALYSTS SAY SLUMPING STOCK PRICES REDUCED THE CONFIDENCE OF SOME POTENTIAL HOME BUYERS.

BUT U-S CONSUMER SPENDING EDGED FORWARD IN AUGUST, BOOSTED BY THE END OF THE GENERAL MOTORS STRIKES. COCA-COLA, THE WORLD'S LARGEST SOFT DRINK MAKER, WARNED INVESTORS THAT ITS EARNINGS WILL FALL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. COKE, WHICH RECEIVES 75 PERCENT OF ITS PROFITS FROM INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, HAS BEEN HURT BY ECONOMIC AND CURRENCY TURMOIL IN MUCH OF THE WORLD. PEPSICO, COKE'S CHIEF RIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS IT WILL SPLIT ITS BOTTLING OPERATION INTO A SEPARATE DIVISION OF THE COMPANY. ANALYSTS SAY THE MOVE APPEARS TO BE A PRELUDE TO THE SPIN-OFF OF PEPSI'S BOTTLING UNIT INTO AN AUTONOMOUS COMPANY.

THE CIRRUS LOGIC COMPANY SAYS IT WILL LAY OFF UP TO 28 PERCENT OF ITS WORK FORCE TO CUT COSTS. CIRRUS SAYS THE MOVE IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE RECENT GLOBAL SLUMP IN SEMICONDUCTOR SALES.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
25-Sep-98 5:29 PM EDT (2129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GRACE CUTLER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE GATHERING OF WORLD LEADERS AT THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF THE U-S MEDIA. EDITORIAL COLUMNS REFLECTED THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE U-N MEETING AND THE UNITED NATION'S ROLE IN A GLOBALIZED SOCIETY. NOW, HERE IS _____________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUND-UP.

TEXT: IRAN'S ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE UNITED NATIONS THAT IT WAS FORMALLY DISTANCING ITSELF FROM THE DECADE-OLD BOUNTY ON THE LIFE OF SALMAN RUSHDIE, AUTHOR OF 'THE SATANIC VERSES,' WAS WELCOMED BY THE WORLD LEADERS. ALTHOUGH THE FATWA -- OR DEATH THREAT -- WAS NOT FULLY RETRACTED, ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE MOVE ELIMINATES MAJOR OBSTACLES TO IMPROVED RELATIONS BETWEEN TERHRAN AND THE WEST. BRITAIN REACTED BY ANNOUNCING IT WAS UPGRADING ITS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BY AN EXCHANGE OF AMBASSADORS.

'THE NEW YORK TIMES' ACKNOWLEDGED TONY BLAIR'S SWIFT ACTION, BUT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE UNITED STATES' FOLLOWING BRITAIN'S LEAD.

VOICE: THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT MOVE SO SWIFTLY....IRAN MUST GIVE UP ITS EFFORTS TO FASHION NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND END ALL SUPPORT FOR TERRORIST GROUPS. THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BACKED AWAY FROM SUCH ASSISTANCE, BUT HAS YET TO MAKE THE KIND OF CLEAR DECLARATION IT DID ABOUT MR. RUSHDIE. (OPT) TEXT: EVEN WHILE THE PRESSURE MOUNTS ON THE UNITED STATES TO PAY THE UNITED NATIONS ONE POINT FIVE BILLION DOLLARS IN BACK DUES, 'THE BOSTON GLOBE' SUPPORTED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S THREAT TO VETO A PROPOSED U-N BAILOUT OF 926 MILLION DOLLARS. THE PAPER SAYS THE BAIL-OUT PACKAGE, WHICH COULD INCLUDE RESTRICTIONS ON FAMILY PLANNING OVERSEAS, WOULD DO REAL HARM TO WOMEN IN POOR COUNTRIES.

VOICE: THE U-N BAILOUT PACKAGE...CONTAIN(S) SO-CALLED 'GAG RULES' THAT WOULD HARM FREE SPEECH AS WELL AS WOMEN'S HEALTH IN COUNTRIES STRUGGLING WITH ANTIQUATED REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAWS. IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT U-S FUNDS ARE BANNED FOR ABORTION SERVICES ABROAD. (END OPT)

TEXT: IN AN ARTICLE IN 'THE LOS ANGELES TIMES', KOFI ANNAN, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS EXPRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS ORGANIZATION'S ROLE IN THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF A STABLE, GLOBAL SOCIETY. HE WRITES:

VOICE: ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES WILL SUCCEED ONLY IF THEY ARE APPLIED WITHIN A CLEAR POLITICAL FRAMEWORK. THAT FRAMEWORK WILL COMMAND MUCH WIDER SUPPORT IF, THROUGH THE U-N, ALL AFFECTED COUNTRIES HAVE PLAYED A PART IN WORKING IT OUT.

TEXT: STEPHEN ROSENFELD OF 'THE WASHINGTON POST' EXAMINES THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STANDING OVATION PRESIDENT CLINTON RECEIVED FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY EARLIER THIS WEEK. THE OVATION, HE SAYS, WAS ONLY THE THIRD OF ITS KIND IN U-N HISTORY, AND IT CAME NOT LONG AFTER THE WORLD WATCHED THE PRESIDENT'S TAPED TESTIMONY IN MONICA LEWINSKY AFFAIR.

VOICE: THE ASSEMBLY OVATION HAD TO HAVE REFLECTED SYMPATHY FOR THE QUALITIES AND IDEAS THAT HAVE MADE CLINTON A SYMPATHETIC THOUGH HARDLY A RESOLUTE FIGURE TO MANY FOREIGNERS--AND FOR THE POLITICAL AND MORAL TRAVAILS OF A FELLOW MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING CLASS.

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF THE COMMENT FROM FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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25-Sep-98 1:34 PM EDT (1734 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT'S STATEMENT THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE AGAINST BRITISH AUTHOR SALMAN RUSHDIE DOES NOT HAVE TEHRAN'S SUPPORT, THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO AS WELL AS THE ON-GOING INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS OF EDITORIALS IN AMERICA'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS. JOINING US WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF WHAT AMERICA'S NEWSPAPERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WORLD EVENTS IS _________________.

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS IRAN'S DECISION TO REPUDIATE THE EDICT OR FATWA AGAINST AUTHOR SALMAN RUSHDIE FOR HIS NOVEL "THE SATANIC VERSES" MAY HELP IMPROVE IRAN'S LONG-STAGNATED RELATIONS WITH THE WEST. THE PAPER WRITES:

VOICE: REJECTION OF THE ASSASSINATION THREAT REMOVES ONE OF THE PRIMARY OBSTACLES TO IMPROVED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TEHRAN.

TEXT: BUT THE NEWSPAPER WARNS THE UNITED STATES STILL HAS OTHER YET TO BE RESOLVED ISSUES STANDING IN THE WAY OF NORMAL RELATIONS WITH IRAN.

VOICE: THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT MOVE SO QUICKLY. FOR ONE THING, AN IRANIAN FOUNDATION STILL OFFERS A TWO POINT FIVE MILLION DOLLAR BOUNTY TO ANYONE WHO KILLS MR. RUSHDIE AND IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF IRAN, ALI KHAMENEI, ACCEPTS THE LIFTING OF THE DEATH THREAT. BUT EVEN IF MR. RUSHDIE IS SOON IN THE CLEAR, OTHER ISSUES NEED TO BE RESOLVED. IRAN MUST GIVE UP ITS EFFORT TO FASHION NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND END ALL SUPPORT FOR TERRORIST GROUPS.

TEXT: THE ONGOING LEGAL AND POLITICAL PROBLEMS FACING PRESIDENT CLINTON IN THE MONICA LEWINSKY SCANDAL ARE THE TOPIC OF THE MAIN EDITORIAL IN FRIDAY'S U-S-A TODAY NEWSPAPER. EDITORS THERE BELIEVE THE WHITE HOUSE SHOULD NOT BE TRYING TO QUICKLY PUSH THE MATTER THROUGH CONGRESS IN AN EFFORT TO BYPASS POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS.

VOICE: TALK OF A QUICK CONGRESSIONAL CENSURE IS PREMATURE AT BEST. WHETHER VALID OR NOT, SKIPPING OVER THE UNPROVED IMPEACHMENT ALLEGATIONS AT THIS POINT WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO BOTH CLINTON AND HIS CRITICS. AND THERE'S A REASONABLE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER CENSURE, EVEN IF DESIRED, COULD BE CRAFTED IN A WAY THAT WOULD WORK.

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES GOES ON TO SUGGEST THAT LYING UNDER OATH -- WHETHER IT IS ABOUT SEX OR ANYTHING ELSE --- IS STILL A SERIOUS CRIME AND SHOULD BE PROSECUTED IF PROVEN.

VOICE: SET ASIDE FOR A MOMENT THAT THE U-S CODE MAKES NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN PERJURY ABOUT SEX AND PERJURY ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE. THE FACT IS THAT LYING ABOUT SEX IS A CRIME PUNISHABLE BY UP TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON AND A FINE OF UP TO 250-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ALSO EDITORIALIZES ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE SCANDAL, NOTING THAT INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR KEN STARR, -- WHO JUST FINISHED HIS INQUIRY INTO THE MONICA LEWINSKY AFFAIR -- IS STILL INVESTIGATING OTHER AREAS OF ALLEGED WRONGDOING WITHIN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION. THE PAPER SUGGESTS THIS COULD MEAN THE WORST FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOT OVER YET.

VOICE: THERE WILL BE A REPORT ON ALL OF THESE MATTERS, NOT LIKELY TO HAND OUT MANY BILLS OF INNOCENCE, THOUGH IT MAY SAY MR. STARR WAS UNABLE TO BREAK VARIOUS STONEWALLS. ON THE OTHER HAND, INDICTMENTS AT THE NON-PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL ARE ALSO POSSIBLE AFTER THE ELECTION.

TEXT: THAT'S A SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS.
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25-Sep-98 4:00 PM EDT (2000 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] HUNGARY ECONOMIC FORUM (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: A TWO-DAY ECONOMIC FORUM WHICH ENDED FRIDAY IN BUDAPEST HUNGARY BROUGHT TOGETHER A DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF ECONOMISTS, ANALYSTS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO TALK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN DEVELOPING MARKET ECONOMIES AT A TIME OF ECONOMIC TROUBLES. STEFAN BOS ATTENDED WHAT WAS CALLED THE "1998 FORTUNE GLOBAL FORUM," WHERE OPTIMISTIC TALK WAS TEMPERED BY SOME SOBER ANALYSIS.

TEXT: ECONOMIC TROUBLE IN ASIA AND RUSSIA WAS HIGH ON THE AGENDA OF PANELISTS AT THE FORUM, AND SOME OFFICIALS EXPRESSED FEAR THAT THE PROBLEMS FROM THOSE AREAS WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD. THAT WAS CLEARLY REFLECTED IN REMARKS BY POLISH PRESIDENT ALEXANDER KWASNIEWSKI. CITING HIS COUNTRY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY -- THREE LIKELY CANDIDATES FOR EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP BY THE YEAR 2003 -- MR. KWASNIEWSKI SUGGESTED THAT IF NOTHING ELSE, THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN RUSSIA IS HAVING A PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT ON THE FORMER EASTERN BLOC MEMBERS.

I AM AFRAID SUCH A PSYCHOLOGICAL ATMOSPHERE -- THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG IN RUSSIA -- WILL EFFECT POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. FOR MANY INVESTORS WHICH ARE NOT VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN ECONOMY, THIS IS PERHAPS A SIGN THAT IT IS BETTER TO WAIT AND TO BE CAREFUL AND SO ON.

MR. KWASNIEWSKI AND HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN BOTH URGED THE WORLD BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO SEPARATE THEIR COUNTRIES FROM THE ECONOMIC TURMOIL IN RUSSIA AND ASIA.

ANOTHER SPEAKER AT THE BUDAPEST GATHERING WAS FORMER U-S SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY KISSINGER. NOW A PRIVATE CONSULTANT TO MANY BUSINESS INTERESTS, MR. KISSINGER TOOK SPECIAL AIM AT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND -- THE I-M-F -- FOR FAILING TO ADEQUATELY UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL CONTEXT IN WHICH MANY OF THEIR ECONOMIC DECISIONS ARE MADE. MR. KISSINGER ALSO TARGETED MARKET SPECULATORS AS A FORCE FOR DESTABILIZATION.

THE SPECULATORS NOW HAVE SO MANY RESOURCES THAT THEY CAN TAKE THESE INEFFICIENCIES, TURN THEM INTO A DISASTER, AND THE SPECULATORS -- SITTING AT COMPUTER SCREENS -- ARE INDIFFERENT TO WHETHER THE MARKET IS GOING UP OR DOWN BECAUSE THEY CAN MAKE MONEY EITHER WAY. THEY JUST HAVE TO GUESS RIGHT. TOTALLY UNREGULATED SPECULATION WILL LEAD TO A SYSTEM IN WHICH CAPITAL FLOWS ARE GOING TO BE INTERVENED WITH IN A WAY THAT WILL EVEN INHIBIT DIRECT INVESTMENTS.

HENRY KISSINGER STRESSED TO THE BUDAPEST ECONOMIC FORUM THAT MOST PROBLEMS FACING ASIA AND RUSSIA ARE RELATED TO PRIVATE AND NOT PUBLIC DEBT. BUT REGARDLESS OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, MR. KISSINGER URGED WORLD BUSINESSES AND POLITICAL LEADERS NOT TO WALK AWAY FROM EMERGING MARKETS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/PCF
25-Sep-98 2:08 PM EDT (1808 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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